Scanning module for a scanner system having a MEMS device or the like

ABSTRACT

Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanning module for a scanner system comprises a frame having a first section and a second section. The first section of the frame is capable of receiving a laser to secure the laser in the first section, and the second section of the frame is capable of receiving a MEMS device having a mirror, to secure the MEMS device in the first section. The laser is aligned with the mirror by the frame to cause light emitted from the laser to impinge upon the mirror during operation of the laser. Such an arrangement may facilitate the physical and/or electrical assembly of the components of the scanner system.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, dies for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) arebonded to a carrier, after which wire bonding may be used to create theelectrical contacts. Another common approach is to use a conductiveadhesive to hold the MEMS die in place as well as to create electricalcontact between contact pads on the die and on the carrier. Both methodsrequire complex and costly equipment, tooling, and a higher degree ofprocess control leading to more complex and inefficient assemblies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctlyclaimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, suchsubject matter may be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a scanner system in accordance with one ormore embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a scanner system showing subcomponents ofthe scanner system in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a scanning module of a scanner systemhaving a MEMS device in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a MEMS device for a scanner system inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram of the scanning module of FIG. 3 furthershowing the scanning action of a reflected laser beam in accordance withone or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the scanning module of FIG. 3showing an assembly of the components of the scanning module inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the scanning module of FIG. 3 furthershowing a coupling of the scanning module to a circuit board inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a scanning module further showing thescanning module and circuit board disposed in a scanner housing inaccordance with one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an information handling system capable ofutilizing a scanning module having a MEMS device or the like inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and/or clarity ofillustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarilybeen drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elementsmay be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, ifconsidered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thefigures to indicate corresponding and/or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimedsubject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components and/or circuitshave not been described in detail.

In the following description and/or claims, the terms coupled and/orconnected, along with their derivatives, may be used. In particularembodiments, connected may be used to indicate that two or more elementsare in direct physical and/or electrical contact with each other.Coupled may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical and/orelectrical contact. However, coupled may also mean that two or moreelements may not be in direct contact with each other, but yet may stillcooperate and/or interact with each other. For example, “coupled” maymean that two or more elements do not contact each other but areindirectly joined together via another element or intermediate elements.Finally, the terms “on,” “overlying,” and “over” may be used in thefollowing description and claims. “On,” “overlying,” and “over” may beused to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physicalcontact with each other. However, “over” may also mean that two or moreelements are not in direct contact with each other. For example, “over”may mean that one element is above another element but not contact eachother and may have another element or elements in between the twoelements. Furthermore, the term “and/or” may mean “and”, it may mean“or”, it may mean “exclusive-or”, it may mean “one”, it may mean “some,but not all”, it may mean “neither”, and/or it may mean “both”, althoughthe scope of claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. Inthe following description and/or claims, the terms “comprise” and“include,” along with their derivatives, may be used and are intended assynonyms for each other.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a scanner system inaccordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. As shown inFIG. 1, scanner system 100 may comprise a data processing, storage, andmanagement block 110. In general, the data processing, storage, andmanagement block may be referred to as processor 110. Processor 110 maysend control signals to scan line generator block 112 to cause scan linegenerator 112 to generate a laser beam swept across a target such as abar code in a generally linear sweep across the target. In one or moreembodiments, scan line generator 112 may generate a linear sweep scanline in one dimension, for example to read a one-dimensional type barcode, and in one or more alternative embodiments, scan line generator112 may generate a non-linear sweep scan, and/or or a scan along twoscan lines that may be orthogonal to one another, and/or non-orthogonalin some embodiments, for example to read a two-dimensional type bar codeor other code or symbol, although the scope of the claimed subjectmatter is not limited in these respects. In general, a sweep scan mayalso refer to a sweep range or a scan angle.

Scanner system 100 may comprise a target bar code imager 114 that iscapable of capturing light emitted from scan line generator 112 that isreflected off of the target bar code as a reflectance profile of thetarget to convert the reflectance profile into an electrical signalrepresentative of information stored in the target bar code. Target barcode imager 114 then sends the reflectance profile signal to processor110 for decoding of the information stored in the target bar code.

In one or more embodiments, scanner system 100 may further include auser interface 116 capable of allowing a user to control scanner system100. For example, user interface 116 may include one or more buttons orother actuators to cause scan line generator 112 emit the scan line tocapture the target bar code. User interface 116 optionally may includedevices for indicating to a user that a target bar code was successfullyscanned, for example one or more lights, displays, speakers, and so on,and/or to provide other operational information to the user to assistthe user in operating scanner system 100.

In addition, scanner system 100 may include acommunications/connectivity block 118 that includes circuits forallowing scanner system 100 to connect to one or more other devices, forexample to send information obtained from scanned targets to remotedevices such as a computer, server, and/or other type of informationhandling system. Furthermore, communications/connectivity block 118 mayprovide one or more interfaces capable of allowing scanner system 100 tobe utilized in conjunction with such other devices, for example withsuch another device may comprise a point of sale (POS) terminal that mayutilize scanner system 100 to capture target bar codes disposed on goodssold by a user operating the POS terminal. Furthermore,communications/connectivity block 118 may include various interfaces toallow scanner system 100 to be updated with new programs or software tobe stored in and/or executed by processor 110.Communications/connectivity block 118 optionally may include one or morewireless communication systems to allow scanner system 100 tocommunicate with one or more remote devices via a wireless communicationlink. Such wireless communication links may comprise, for example, aninfrared type communication link, a Bluetooth type communication link,an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11a/b/g/n type communication link, a broadband type communicationlink such as a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) type cellularcommunication link or a Wireless Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX) type communication link, and so on, although the scope of theclaimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. In addition,scanner system 100 may include a power management block 120 that iscapable of controlling and/or managing the operational power utilized byscanner system. For example, power management block 120 may power downscan line generator 112 when target bar codes are not being capturedafter a predetermined period of time to conserve power such as whenscanner system 100 is being powered by a battery.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a scanner system showingsubcomponents of the scanner system in accordance with one or moreembodiments will be discussed. The diagram shown in FIG. 2 is oneparticular embodiment of scanner system 100 of FIG. 1. However, othervariations of the particular subcomponents of scanner system 100 may beutilized, including more or fewer components, or substitute oralternative components, and the scope of the claimed subject matter isnot limited in these respects. As shown in FIG. 2, scanner system 100generally corresponds to one particular embodiment of scanner system 100of FIG. 1, including processor 110, scan line generator 112, target barcode imager 114, user interface 116, communications/connectivity block118, and/or power management block 120. Processor 110 may comprise aninternal timer 210 to provide a timing reference for scanner system 100.In one or more embodiments, the period of the timing reference maycomprise 10 microseconds, although the scope of the claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect. A pulse width modulator 212 maygenerate a pulse signal to constant power laser drive 214 to provide asignal for driving laser 216. In response to the driving signal receivedfrom constant power laser drive 214, laser 216 may emit a beam of laserlight that impinges upon a reflector or mirror of microelectromechanicalsystem (MEMS) device 218. MEMS device 218 is caused to oscillate and/orotherwise move in a desired pattern to cause the reflected laser beamemitted from laser 216 to sweep across a target 230 for capturing anddecoding of the target 230. In one or more embodiments, memory 220 maycontain values for a waveform with which MEMS device 218 is driven tocause the laser beam to sweep in a desired or predetermined patternacross target 230. The waveform stored in memory 220 may comprisedigital values of the waveform for a given period of the waveform thatmay be converted to an analog signal via digital-to-analog converter(DAC) 222 and filtered with a reconstruction filter 224 to provide asmoother waveform to drive MEMS device 218. In one or more embodiments,the waveform stored in memory 220 may comprise a generally sinusoidaltype waveform stored with 10 bits of quantization levels, and DAC 222may comprise a 10 bit digital-to-analog converter operating at 100kilosamples per second. Reconstruction filter 224 may comprise aresistor-capacitor type low pass filter capable of removing harmonicsfrom the waveform above the fundamental frequency of the waveform storedin memory 220 to provide a generally smoother waveform to linearamplifier 226 that provides the driving signal to MEMS device 218.

In one or more embodiments, laser light is emitted from laser 216 toonto MEMS device 218 which in turn reflects the laser light onto target230 in a pattern determined by the waveform stored in memory 222. Thelaser light is passed through window 228 and reflected off of target 230back into window 228 of scanner system 100. Window 228 may provide somefiltering of ambient light to assist in capturing light reflected off oftarget 230 without capturing ambient light or other optical noise thatmay be present in the environment in which scanner system 100 may beoperated. Captured light may be further filtered via filter 232 andfocused with lens 234 onto an optical detector 236 that may comprise,for example, a positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diode or the like.Light impinging on light detector may modulate a current that isamplified by amplifier 238, which may provide preamplification typefunctions and/or bandpass filter type functions to provide an electricalsignal representative of the reflectance profile of light reflected offof target 230 onto optical detector 236. The output of amplifier 238 maythen be provided to analog edge detector 240 for detecting edgetransitions in electrical signal that correspond, for example, to theedges of bars or other symbols in target code 230. The output of analogedge detector 240 may then be provided to an input capture block 242 ofprocessor 110 for decoding of the signal based on the output of analogedge detector 240. For example, the times between edges detected byanalog edge detector 240 may correspond to the widths of the bars in thebar code of target 230, which in turn may correspond to data encoded inthe bar code from which the data may be extracted. The resulting decodedsignal may be stored, at least temporarily, in a non-volatile memorysuch as flash memory 246 and/or in a volatile type memory such as randomaccess memory (RAM) 248. Furthermore, programs, software, and/or otherdata may be stored in flash memory 246 and/or RAM 248. A real time clock(RTC) 256 may be utilized to provide a time reference for processor 110that may be utilized, for example, to time the interval between pulseedges detected by analog edge detector 240. In one or more embodiments,a coil resistance verification circuit 244 may be utilized to detectwhether the coil of MEMS device 218 has failed and is an open circuit ora short circuit, or whether the coil resistance is within a normalrange. In the event coil resistance verification circuit 244 detects anopen circuit and/or a short circuit in the coil of MEMS device 218,processor 110 may shut off power to laser 216, for example for safetypurposes, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is notlimited in these respects.

In one or more embodiments, user interface 116 may comprise a button 250that may be used by a user to actuate scanning of target 230 by scannersystem 100. For example, in response to a user actuating button 250,processor 110 may turn on power to laser 216. A light such as lightemitting diode (LED) 252 may be used to provide a visual indication tothe user that scanner system 100 is operating and attempting to capturea target 230, and/or that the attempted capture of the target has failedand/or has been successful. Furthermore, user interface 116 may includea beeper 254 which may comprise a speaker or other device capable ofgenerating and audible signal, which may likewise indicate to a userthat the that scanner system 100 is operating and attempting to capturea target 230, and/or that the attempted capture of the target has failedand/or has been successful. Various combinations of light pulses, lightflashed, solid illumination, and/or tones may be utilized to providecombinations of feedback to the user concerning the operation of scannersystem 100 and/or the capturing of a target 230 by scanner system 100.Optionally, user interface 116 may include a display capable ofproviding more advanced and/or more detailed information to the userpertaining to the operation of scanner system 100 and/or the capturingof a target 230 by scanner system 100, although the scope of the claimedsubject matter is not limited in this respect.

In one or more embodiments, communications/connectivity block 118 maycomprise a first universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) 258for handling serial type communications and/or a second UART 260. UART258 may couple to a recommended standard-232 (RS-232) driver 262 tocouple scanner system 100 to remote devices via an RS-232 typeinterface. UART 260 may likewise couple to remote devices using a serialtype interface such as RS-232. UART 258 and/or UART 260 may furthercouple to one or more remote devices using various other types ofcommunication interfaces such as Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, and soon. In one or more embodiments, RS 232 driver 262 may couple to a stereojack such as a one-eighth inch stereo jack to couple scanner system 100to one or more other devices during operation of scanner system 100, forexample to implement a tethered mode of operation. In one or moreembodiments, UART 260 may couple to a remote device or computer forperforming debugging or the like type operations for scanner system 100.However, these are merely example types of communication systems and/orinterfaces for scanner system 100, and the scope of the claimed subjectmatter is not limited in these respects.

In one or more embodiments, power management block 120 of scanner system100 may include a power source such as battery 264, which may optionallyinclude a serially connected fuse 266, to provide an operational voltagefor scanner system 100. The battery voltage (V_(BATTERY)) of battery 264may be provided to voltage regulator 268 to provide a regulatedoperational voltage to scanner system 100. One or more power switches270 may be coupled to voltage regulator 268 for powering scanner system100 on or off. Power switches 270 may provide a first voltage level(V_(ANALOG)) to power analog devices of scanner system 100 at anappropriate voltage for such analog circuits, and/or may provide asecond voltage level (V_(DIGITAL)) to power digital devices of scannersystem 100 at an appropriate voltage for such digital devices. Thebattery voltage from battery 264 may also be provided to ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) 274, which may comprise a 10 bitconverter, to provide a voltage reference signal to processor 110 whichmay monitor the output voltage of battery 264, for example to indicateto the user that the charge on battery 264 is sufficient for operatingscanner system 100, or to indicate to the user that the charge onbattery 264 is low and should be recharged. Processor 110 may include aperipheral serial bus 276 to couple to an electrically erasable programread only memory (EEPROM) 272 capable of being utilized for storing datafrom one or more decoded targets for example in a batch mode, and/or forstoring programs and/or data capable of being executed by processor 110,for example to control the operation of scanner system 100, although thescope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective diagram of a MEMS based laserscanning module of a scanner system in accordance with one or moreembodiments will be discussed. As shown in FIG. 3, scanning module 300may comprise a frame 310 into which various components of scan linegenerator 112 may be disposed. In one or more embodiments, frame 310 maycomprise a unitary structure comprising a molded plastic or the like.Frame 310 may comprise a first section 328 into which laser 216 may beinserted and fastened in place via snap arm 318. Laser 216 may comprisea transistor outline (TO) can type device inserted into a cylindricalcover or housing 330 having a slot or groove 332 into which a tab 334 ofsnap arm 318 may fit to hold laser 216 in place within first section328. First section 328 may be further sized and/or shaped to containlaser 216 and restrict the lateral and/or longitudinal movement of laser216 within first section 328. Such an arrangement of laser 216 and/orfirst section 328 may function to allow ease of insertion and/or removalof laser 216 into first section 328 of frame 310, and further to providephysical alignment of laser 216 such that a laser beam emitted fromlaser 216 may impinge upon MEMS device 218. Likewise, frame 310 mayinclude second section 336 into which MEMS device 218 may be disposedand held within a proper alignment in second section 336 so that thelaser beam emitted from laser 216 may impinge upon MEMS device 218through window 338 formed in frame 310. Second section 336 may have asize and/or shape to allow magnet 312 and magnet 314 to be placedadjacent to MEMS device 218 and to further receive field plate 316adjacent to and coupled with magnets 312 and 314. In addition, springclip 340 may provide a bias force against field plate 316 to furthersecure field plate 316, magnets 312 and 314, and MEMS device 218 withinsecond section 336. Contacts 320 and 322 may couple to the coil of MEMSdevice 218 to provide electrical contact with the coil and one or morecontacts on a circuit board (not shown) onto which scanning module 300may be placed within a housing of scanner system 100. Contacts 320 and322 may be physically biased against corresponding contacts on MEMSdevice 218 to maintain physical and electrical contact with MEMS device218 so that a mirror driving signal may be provided to MEMS device 218.

Such an arrangement of first section 328 and/or second section 336 mayfacilitate assembly of the components of scanning module 300 into frame310 such that the components of scanning module 300 may be easilyinserted into frame 310 without requiring additional alignment of thecomponents such as laser 216 and/or MEMS device 218 after placement intoframe 310. The tolerances with which frame 310 is manufactured may besufficient to allow such assembly of scanning module 300 withoutrequiring additional physical and/or electrical alignment of eitherlaser 216 and/or scanning module 218. Frame 310 may further comprise oneor more posts 324 and 326 having corresponding structures such as tabsto allow scanning module 300 to be attached to the circuit board (notshown) of scanner system 100 in a position with respect to window 228 asshown in FIG. 1 to allow for a range of motion for the sweep of thelaser beam out of window 228 and to allow the laser beam reflected offof target 230 to enter back into the housing of scanner system 100through window 228 to be detected by optical detector 236, although thescope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. Itshould be noted that although scanning module 300 of FIG. 3 pertains toa MEMS based scanning module for scanner system 100, scanning module 300may be adapted to a MEMS based display module having a MEMS scanningrasterizer for generating a display from the laser light emitted fromone or more lasers in a suitable arrangement to display an imageprojected onto a surface, in a display region such as in a head updisplay, and/or as an image projected onto a retina of a user, as a fewof several examples, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is notlimited in these respects.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a top plan view of a MEMS device having amirror for a scanner system in accordance with one or more embodimentswill be discussed. As shown in FIG. 4, MEMS device 218 may comprise asilicon frame 410 from which structures of MEMS device 218 may beformed, for example via etching and/or photolithography to produced thedesired structures. In one or more embodiments, frame 410 may comprise aunitary structure including contacts 412 and 414 that comprise the endsof a coil 422 disposed on coil frame 416. Coil frame 416 may besupported by suspension arms 420 disposed at opposing ends of coil frame416 along an axis of rotation of coil frame 416. Suspension arms 420 maycomprise a continuous structure that extends into the interior region ofcoil frame 416 to couple to mirror platform 418 via connection points432. Thus, in one or more embodiments, frame 410, coil frame 416,suspension arms 420, connection points 432, and mirror platform 418 maycomprise a single piece of silicon or similar material. In one or moreembodiments, coil 422 may be formed on coil frame 416 for example viadeposition of a metal with a higher conductivity such as gold, aluminum,or copper. In one embodiment, coil 422 may comprise gold, although thescope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.Contact 412 may comprise a first end of coil 422, and contact 414 maycomprise a second end of coil 422. In one or more embodiments, a mirror428 may be formed as a thing metal firm disposed on mirror platform 418via deposition of a metal with higher optical reflectance properties,for example aluminum. Mirror 428 may be capable of reflecting a beam oflaser light impinging on its surface in a direction controlled bymovement of coil frame 416 and mirror platform 418 as discussed, below.

In one or more embodiments, coil 422 may be driven with a signal tocause coil frame 416 to move and/or oscillate in response to the signalin the presence of a magnetic field to generate electromotive force. Themagnetic field may be provided by magnets 312 and 314 of FIG. 3 disposedadjacent to frame 410 as shown for example in FIG. 3. Since mirrorplatform 418 is coupled to coil frame 416 via connection points 432,mirror platform 418 moves along with coil frame 416. Magnet 312 may bedisposed with its polarity aligned in a first direction normal to theplane of coil 422, and magnet 314 may be disposed with its polaritydisposed in a second direction normal to the plane of coil 422 such thatthe polarity of magnet 312 is opposite to the polarity of magnet 314.Such an arrangement of coil 422 and magnets 312 and 314 causes coilframe 416 and mirror platform to rotate about an axis generally alignedwith suspension arms 420. The rotation of suspension arms 420 imparts atwist in the structure of suspension arms 420 to accommodate themovement of coil frame 416 and mirror platform 418 along the axisgenerally aligned with suspension arms 420. In order to minimize warpingof mirror 428 which may adversely affect the laser beam reflected off ofmirror 428 and thereby interfere with the scanning of target 230, forexample where such warping may be the result of residual stress betweenthe metal file of mirror 428 and the silicon material of mirror platform418, mirror platform 418 may be connected to coil frame 416 atconnection points 432 that are disposed collinearly with suspension arms420, which may be generally aligned with the axis of rotation of coilframe 416 and/or mirror platform 418. Such an arrangement may reducewarping of mirror 428 since coil frame 416 may be minimally warped assuch locations corresponding where coil frame 416 couples to suspensionarms 420. In order to isolate mirror platform 418 from the twist ofsuspension arms 420 and to maintain the planar flatness of mirrorplatform 418, one or more flexible members 426 may be disposed on mirrorplatform 418 adjacent to connection points 432. As suspension arms 420in response to movement of coil frame 416 when coil 422 is driven with adriving signal in the presence of a magnetic field, flexible members 426prevent and/or reduce such twist from being imparted to mirror platform418, thereby maintaining the relative flatness of mirror platform 418and mirror 428.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective diagram of the scanning module ofFIG. 3 further showing the scanning action of a reflected laser beam inaccordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. As shown inFIG. 5, MEMS device 218 of scanning module 300 may be driven to operatein a non-resonant mode. In one or more embodiments, laser 216 may emit abeam of laser light 510 that impinges upon the mirror 428 of MEMS device218 to result in a reflected beam 512 that may be pointed in a directionbased on the direction at which the mirror 428 of MEMS device 218 ispointed in response to a drive signal. A drive signal provided to MEMSdevice 218 may cause the reflected beam 512 to be swept between a firstfull deflection direction 514 to a second full deflection direction 516to define a maximum field of view (FOV) at which MEMS device 218 mayoperate. In one embodiment, such a maximum field of view my comprise anangle between first direction 514 to second direction 516 of about 50degrees, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limitedin this respect.

By driving MEMS device 218 in a mode that does not depend on theresonance of MEMS device 218, MEMS device 218 may be driven to oscillateat a desired frequency that may be a different frequency than theresonant frequency of MEMS device 218. For example, a typical MEMSdevice 218 may have a resonant frequency ranging from about 200 Hertz upto about 1000 Hertz. Thus, to operate such a MEMS device 218 in aresonant mode may require the drive signal and the beam sweep rate to beat or near the resonant frequency. Such a relatively higher rate ofsweep may likewise require the target decoding electronics to operate ata faster rate than may be needed to actually decode the target. Thus, inone or more embodiments, MEMS device 218 may be non-resonantly driven ata frequency that is lower than the resonant frequency of MEMS device218, while optionally being operated at a frequency that is sufficientlyhigh such that any inadvertent hand movement of the user of scannersystem 100 will not interfere and/or adversely affect the ability ofscanner system 100 to successfully decode target codes. In one or moreembodiments, MEMS device 218 may be non-resonantly driven at a frequencyof about 50 Hertz, although the scope of the claimed subject matter isnot limited in this respect.

In one or more embodiments, by driving MEMS device 218 in a non-resonantmode, the reflected beam 512 may be steered within a sweep range thatincludes any portion of a full sweep range between first direction 514and second direction 516. In general, a sweep range may also refer to asweep scan or a scan angle. Likewise, MEMS device 218 may be driven at afrequency that is capable of adapting to the size of target 230 and/orthe size and/or spacing of the symbols of target 230, for example toslow down the rate of scanning if the symbols of target 230 are spacedmore closely together, or to increase the rate of scanning if thesymbols of target 230 are spaced more farther apart. Likewise, MEMSdevice 218 may be driven non-resonantly to direct the sweep range in adirection that may be off axis from the direction at which scannersystem 100 is pointing, and/or to optimize the relative spot size of thebeam reflected off of target 230 and impinging upon optical detector236. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, by driving MEMS device 218in a non-resonant mode, the reflected beam 512 may be directed to astationary position within the full sweep range including or betweenfirst direction 514 and second direction 516, for example to providescanner system 100 with a function similar to a laser pointer.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exploded perspective view of the scanningmodule of FIG. 3 showing an assembly of the components of the module inaccordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. Thecomponents of FIG. 6 are shown in an exploded view and from a rearperspective with respect to the view of FIG. 3. For assembly of scanningmodule 300, MEMS device 218 including frame 410 may be inserted intosection 336. Magnets 312 and/or 314 may then be inserted into section336, with the magnetic field polarity indicated by the arrows shown inFIG. 6. Field plate 316 may then be inserted into section 336, followedby insertion of spring clip 340 into section 340. Spring clip 340 mayfunction to retain the assembled components within section 336 byproviding a biasing force against field plate 316, magnets 312 and/or314, and MEMS device 218 against an interior surface of section 336.Likewise, laser 216 may be inserted into section 328 and retained withinsection 328 by snap arm 318. Alignment of laser 216 may be facilitatedby the mating of tab 334 into slot 332 of laser housing 330 and tosecure laser 216 within section 328. The positions of such holdingfeatures of frame 310 of module 300 for laser 216 and/or MEMS device 218may be designed such that the light beam emitted from laser 216 willalways hit mirror 428 of MEMS device 218 during normal operation ofscanner system 100, although the scope of the claimed subject matter isnot limited in these respects.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an elevation view of the scanning module ofFIG. 3 further showing a coupling of the module to a circuit board inaccordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. Scanningmodule 300 of FIG. 7 is shown in a cut away view showing a cut along acut line of frame 310 that may generally correspond with a center ofmirror 428 of MEMS device 218. Thus, spring clip 340, field plate 316,MEMS device 218 and die 410 are seen in a partial view. Furthermore,magnet 314 may be visible but magnet 312 is not shown. Scanning module300 may be disposed on circuit board 710 and be physically coupledthereto by inserting posts 324 and/or 326 into corresponding receptacleson circuit board 710, and snapped into place via tabs disposed on posts324 and/or 326. One or more of contacts 320 and/or 322 may couple withcontacts 412 and/or 414 of die 410 to couple coil 422 of die 410 to oneor more contacts 712 of circuit board 710. Such an arrangement providesthe physical and/or electrical coupling of MEMS device 218 to linear amp226 which may be disposed on circuit board 710. Contacts 320 and/or 322may function as springs to bias contacts 320 and/or 322 to contacts 412and/or 414 of die 410, and/or to contacts 712 of circuit board 710 whenscanning module 300 is snapped into place on circuit board 710. Such anarrangement may facilitate the physical and/or electrical assembly ofthe components of scanner system 100, although the scope of the claimedsubject matter is not limited in these respects.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a perspective view of scanning module furthershowing the module and circuit board disposed in a scanner housing inaccordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. FIG. 8 showscompleted assembly of scanning module 300 on circuit board 710 disposedwithin a housing 810 of scanner system 100. Scanning module 300 may beshock mounted on circuit board 710 via one or more grommets 812 in oneor more embodiments. In FIG. 8, the lower half of housing 810 is shownbut the upper half of housing 810 is not shown in order to provide aview of scanning module 300 and circuit board 710 within housing 810.Housing 810 may include window 228 through which a beam of light maypass after being emitted from laser 216 and reflected off of mirror 428of scanning module 218 through window 228 as a scan line. The scan linelight may be reflected off of target 230 and reenter housing 810 throughwindow 228 to be detected by optical detector 236. In one or moreembodiments, such reentering light may be filtered with filter 232 andfocused and/or directed onto optical detector 236 via lens 234. In oneor more embodiments, lens 234 may comprise a prism to provide a 90degree change in direction of the light to direct the light onto opticaldetector 236, or alternatively a prism may be utilized in addition tolens 234. However, these are merely example arrangements for scanningmodule 300, circuit board 710, and/or optical detector 236 withinhousing 810, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limitedin these respects.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a block diagram of an information handlingsystem capable of utilizing a MEMS based scan engine for an imagescanner or the like in accordance with one or more embodiments will bediscussed. Information handling system 900 of FIG. 9 may tangibly embodyscanner system 100 as shown in and described with respect to FIG. 1.Although information handling system 900 represents one example ofseveral types of computing platforms, information handling system 900may include more or fewer elements and/or different arrangements ofelements than shown in FIG. 9, and the scope of the claimed subjectmatter is not limited in these respects.

Information handling system 900 may comprise one or more processors suchas processor 910 and/or processor 912, which may comprise one or moreprocessing cores. One or more of processor 910 and/or processor 912 maycouple to one or more memories 916 and/or 918 via memory bridge 914,which may be disposed external to processors 910 and/or 912, oralternatively at least partially disposed within one or more ofprocessors 910 and/or 912. Memory 916 and/or memory 918 may comprisevarious types of semiconductor based memory, for example volatile typememory and/or non-volatile type memory. Memory bridge 914 may couple toa video/graphics system 920 to drive a display device, which maycomprise MEMS module 936, coupled to information handling system 900.

Information handling system 900 may further comprise input/output (I/O)bridge 922 to couple to various types of I/O systems. I/O system 924 maycomprise, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) type system, an IEEE1394 type system, or the like, to couple one or more peripheral devicesto information handling system 900. Bus system 926 may comprise one ormore bus systems such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI)express type bus or the like, to connect one or more peripheral devicesto information handling system 900. A hard disk drive (HDD) controllersystem 928 may couple one or more hard disk drives or the like toinformation handling system, for example Serial Advanced TechnologyAttachment (Serial ATA) type drives or the like, or alternatively asemiconductor based drive comprising flash memory, phase change, and/orchalcogenide type memory or the like. Switch 930 may be utilized tocouple one or more switched devices to I/O bridge 922, for exampleGigabit Ethernet type devices or the like. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.9, information handling system 900 may include a baseband andradio-frequency (RF) block 932 comprising a base band processor and/orRF circuits and devices for wireless communication with other wirelesscommunication devices and/or via wireless networks via antenna 934,although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in theserespects.

In one or more embodiments, information handling system 900 may includea MEMS module 936 that may correspond to scanning module 300 of FIG. 3and which may include any one or more components of scanner system 100such as processor 110, scan line generator 112, target bar code imager114, user interface 116, communications/connectivity block 118, and/orpower management block 120. In one or more embodiments, MEMS module 936may be controlled by one or more of processors 910 and/or 912 toimplements some or all of the functions of processor 110 of FIG. 1. MEMSmodule 936 may include MEMS device 218 as shown in and described withrespect to FIG. 2 through FIG. 8, for example, and which may beassembled in a scanning module 300 along with magnets 312 and/or 314,field plate 316, to be held in place with spring clip 340 in section 336of frame 310, and may be further assembled with laser 216 in section 328of frame 310 as an assembled scanning module 300. In one or moreembodiments, MEMS module 936 may comprise a scanner for scanning target230 such as a bar code represented by target/display 940, and/or maycomprise a MEMS based display for displaying an image projected by MEMSmodule 936 where the image may likewise be represented by target/display940. In one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display engine maycomprise video/graphics block 920 having a video controller to providevideo information 938 to MEMS module 936 to display an image representedby target/display 940. In one or more embodiments, such a MEMS module936 may include MEMS device 218 as described herein. In particularembodiments, MEMS device 218 may comprise a biaxial mirror systemwherein mirror 428 may reflect a beam from laser 216 in two dimensionsto generate a two-dimensional image. However, these are merely exampleimplementations for MEMS module 936 within information handling system900, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in theserespects.

Although the claimed subject matter has been described with a certaindegree of particularity, it should be recognized that elements thereofmay be altered by persons skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and/or scope of claimed subject matter. It is believed that thesubject matter pertaining to a scanning module having a MEMS device fora scanner system or the like and/or many of its attendant utilities willbe understood by the forgoing description, and it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made in the form, construction and/or arrangementof the components thereof without departing from the scope and/or spiritof the claimed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its materialadvantages, the form herein before described being merely an explanatoryembodiment thereof, and/or further without providing substantial changethereto. It is the intention of the claims to encompass and/or includesuch changes.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a frame having a first section and a secondsection; the first section of said frame being capable of receiving alaser to secure the laser in the first section; the second section ofsaid frame being capable of receiving a MEMS device having a mirror, tosecure the MEMS device in the first section, wherein at least one ormore magnets are disposed within the second section of said frameproximate to the MEMS device; and wherein the laser is aligned with themirror by said frame to cause light emitted from the laser to impingeupon the mirror during operation of the laser.
 2. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, the laser being secured within the first section ofsaid frame, or the MEMS device being secured within the second sectionof said frame, or combinations thereof, without requiring an adhesive.3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the laser being secured withinthe first section of said frame, or the MEMS device being secured withinthe second section of said frame, or combinations thereof, withoutrequiring further alignment of the laser or the MEMS device, orcombinations thereof.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said framecomprising a snap arm to secure the laser in the first section.
 5. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, said frame comprising a snap arm tosecure the laser in the first section, the laser being disposed within ahousing have a slot formed therein, and the snap arm having a tabcapable of mating with the slot to secure the laser in an alignment inthe first section.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a field plate disposed proximate to the at least one or moremagnets.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising afield plate disposed proximate to the at least one or more magnets, thefield plate and the at least one or more magnets being secured withinthe second section of said frame via a spring clip.
 8. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more spring contactssecured by said frame to couple with one or more contacts of the MEMSdevice.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said frame comprisingone or more posts to couple said frame to a circuit board, one or moreof the posts having tabs to secure said frame to the circuit board. 10.A scanned beam display engine, comprising: a video controller; and aMEMS module capable of being controlled by said video controller todisplay an image, said MEMS module comprising: a frame having a firstsection and a second section; the first section of said frame beingcapable of receiving a laser to secure the laser in the first section;the second section of said frame being capable of receiving a MEMSdevice having a mirror, to secure the MEMS device in the first section,wherein at least one or more magnets are disposed within the secondsection of said frame proximate to the MEMS device; and wherein thelaser is aligned with the mirror by said frame to cause light emittedfrom the laser to impinge upon the mirror during operation of the laser.11. The scanned beam display engine as claimed in claim 10, the laserbeing secured within the first section of said frame, or the MEMS devicebeing secured within the second section of said frame, or combinationsthereof, without requiring an adhesive.
 12. The scanned beam displayengine as claimed in claim 10, the laser being secured within the firstsection of said frame, or the MEMS device being secured within thesecond section of said frame, or combinations thereof, without requiringfurther alignment of the laser or the MEMS device, or combinationsthereof.
 13. The scanned beam display engine as claimed in claim 10,said frame comprising a snap arm to secure the laser in the firstsection.
 14. The scanned beam display engine as claimed in claim 10,said frame comprising a snap arm to secure the laser in the firstsection, the laser being disposed within a housing have a slot formedtherein, and the snap arm having a tab capable of mating with the slotto secure the laser in an alignment in the first section.
 15. Thescanned beam display engine as claimed in claim 10, further comprising afield plate disposed proximate to the at least one or more magnets. 16.The scanned beam display engine as claimed in claim 10, furthercomprising a field plate disposed proximate to the at least one or moremagnets, the field plate and the at least one or more magnets beingsecured within the second section of said frame via a spring clip. 17.The scanned beam display engine as claimed in claim 10, furthercomprising one or more spring contacts secured by said frame to couplewith one or more contacts of the MEMS device.
 18. The scanned beamdisplay engine as claimed in claim 10, said frame comprising one or moreposts to couple said frame to a circuit board, one or more of the postshaving tabs to secure said frame to the circuit board.
 19. Aninformation handling system, comprising: a processor; a memory coupledto said processor; and a MEMS module capable of being controlled by saidprocessor by a program stored in the memory, said MEMS modulecomprising: a frame having a first section and a second section; thefirst section of said frame being capable of receiving a laser to securethe laser in the first section; the second section of said frame beingcapable of receiving a MEMS device having a mirror, to secure the MEMSdevice in the first section, wherein at least one or more magnets aredisposed within the second section of said frame proximate to the MEMSdevice; and wherein the laser is aligned with the mirror by said frameto cause light emitted from the laser to impinge upon the mirror duringoperation of the laser.
 20. The information handling system as claimedin claim 19, the laser being secured within the first section of saidframe, or the MEMS device being secured within the second section ofsaid frame, or combinations thereof, without requiring an adhesive. 21.The information handling system as claimed in claim 19, the laser beingsecured within the first section of said frame, or the MEMS device beingsecured within the second section of said frame, or combinationsthereof, without requiring further alignment of the laser or the MEMSdevice, or combinations thereof.
 22. The information handling system asclaimed in claim 19, said frame comprising a snap arm to secure thelaser in the first section.
 23. The information handling system asclaimed in claim 19, said frame comprising a snap arm to secure thelaser in the first section, the laser being disposed within a housinghave a slot formed therein, and the snap arm having a tab capable ofmating with the slot to secure the laser in an alignment in the firstsection.
 24. The information handling system as claimed in claim 19,further comprising a field plate disposed proximate to the at least oneor more magnets.
 25. The information handling system as claimed in claim19, further comprising a field plate disposed proximate to the at leastone or more magnets, the field plate and the at least one or moremagnets being secured within the second section of said frame via aspring clip.
 26. The information handling system as claimed in claim 19,further comprising one or more spring contacts secured by said frame tocouple with one or more contacts of the MEMS device.
 27. The informationhandling system as claimed in claim 19, said frame comprising one ormore posts to couple said frame to a circuit board, one or more of theposts having tabs to secure said frame to the circuit board.